It's National Bike Month and . . . Missouri moves down to #30 in Bicycle Friendly State rankings

Submitted by Brent Hugh on Tue, 04/30/2013 - 11:39pm

May is Bike Month--and brings the latest state rankings from League of American Bicyclists

In honor of National Bike Month, the League of American Bicyclists has released its latest Bicycle Friendly States ranking. In the sixth annual assessment, Missouri achieved a #30 ranking nationally, while placing #6 in the Midwest.

Bicycle Friendly State logo

"We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Delaware, Colorado and Oregon," said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. "But, as the scores clearly highlight, there's much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and planning in every state."

The Bicycle Friendly States Ranking is now even more comprehensive, capturing more information than ever before and delving more deeply into the issues embedded in becoming a more bicycle friendly state.

Missouri's #30 ranking was based on a number of key indicators, including infrastructure and funding that provide on-the-ground bicycle facilities; education and encourage programs that promote cycling; and passage and enforcement of bicycle-friendly laws that make it safe and comfortable for people of all ages to ride.

Recommendations for Missouri

"Most of the recommendations in the report can easily be adopted by cities, metro planning organizations, or statewide--and these are things that really improve our cities and neighborhoods for bicycling," said Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation Executive Director Brent Hugh.

The report's key recommendations for Missouri:

- Remove current restrictions on state transportation funds that disallow funding of bicycle facilities

- Adopt and implement Complete Streets policies

- Adopt a statewide bicycle plan

- Adopt statewide and local laws making it unlawful to harass, taunt, or throw objects at bicyclists

"We're seeing more people bicycling in Missouri than ever before," said Hugh. "And both cities and state agencies like MoDOT are gradually working to improve conditions for bicycling. But frankly, we've got to step up our game. Other states are improving faster than we are."

Missouri's Ranking

Missouri's ranking in previous years has ranged from 28th to 17th. The year's ranking of 30th is the lowest ranking Missouri has received in the six years of the Bicycle Friendly State program.

The Bicycle Friendly State program is more than an annual assessment. Throughout the year, League staff will work actively with state officials and advocacy leaders to help Missouri identify and implement the programs, policies and campaigns that will improve conditions for bicyclists.

Click here to see how Missouri ranked in the five evaluation categories. Learn more about the BFS program atwww.bikeleague.org/states.